Project to design Dharavandhoo terminal expansion awarded

Island Aviation and a private company have signed an agreement to acquire design and consultancy services to expand Baa atoll Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport's terminal and upgrade its services.

As per the press release from Island Aviation (that runs Dharavandhoo Airport), they have signed an agreement with design and consultancy firm Epoch Associates Pvt Ltd to repair the airport's current terminal, along with the expansion and offering of new services.

Under the agreement with Epoch Associates, options regarding how to upgrade the quality of services have been determined: 

Island Aviation stated that as Dharavandhoo Airport is the official entry to Baa Atoll's tourism and as it is a domestic airport that experiences congestion regarding public travel, the quality of services provided needs to be upgraded.

They said that the terminal is to be expanded and quality of services upgraded to reach that end and that the project is under the government's policy to improve airport service quality across Maldives.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced the awarding of Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport to Island Aviation for development during a Dharavandhoo community meeting in August.

At the time, the President stated that discussions had been held with the company that had invested in the airport and handed over to Island Aviation from the company, with the decision having been made to develop it to the quality as desired by the government. 

Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport, which was opened 14 years ago in 2012, was constructed by Coastline Hotels and Resorts. The airport is currently being operated by Island Aviation.